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Private donors gave money for the various benches and trees around the fountain and the Fairpark gate. Plaques on each item recognize the donors. The governing board of Fairpark is considering a moratorium on new permanent public art. (C. TODD SHERMAN | DAILY JOURNAL)
Fairpark Gifts
Slayton’s Concrete Construction employees continue work on the foundation for the Elvis statue. The Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tupelo Elvis Presley Fan Club partnered to pay for the 11-foot-tall statue for Fairpark. The sculpture is expected to be unveiled Aug. 9. (C. TODD SHERMAN | DAILY JOURNAL)
Sadler Sanders created the Alzheimer’s Tree as part of her senior project at Tupelo High School. The sculpture was dedicated in March 2012.
Private donors gave money for the various benches and trees around the fountain and the Fairpark gate. Plaques on each item recognize the donors.
Ryan Reynolds raised money for a special needs playground as part of his senior project at Tupelo High School. The equipment was added to the previous playground in 2011.
The Jack Reed Sr. family donated the money for the Frances Purvis Reed Fountain. The fountain is named in memory of Reed’s wife. The popular water feature was dedicated in 2005.
The Tupelo Women’s Club donated the playground, which includes a swing set, slide and merry-go-round. The equipment was dedicated in May 2008.
"I love what we have down there," said John Oxford, chairman of the Tupelo Redevelopment Agency. "A lot of people have a lot of good ideas. We just need to slow down and preserve what we have for future community events and not turn it into a statue park."
The Fairpark green space is home to many gifts. One of the first donations was the popular Frances Purvis Reed Fountain, a popular attraction for kids of all ages. Private donors gave money for the benches around the fountain and the trees around the Fairpark gate.
In 2005, the Rotary Club of Tupelo commissioned a sculpture of Chief Piomingo for Fairpark. Since then, TRA has voted and approved donations of a playground, a special-needs playground, an Alzheimer's memory tree sculpture and an 11-foot-tall statue of Elvis.
Two of the donations were part of senior projects from students at Tupelo High School.
"It clearly shows how interested the public is in this area," Oxford said. "Everything out there is staying. We just need to make sure that we're keeping that space clean and open for the community."
Plus, TRA's long-range plan calls for a public restroom facility to be built somewhere in the park.
"It's something we're working towards, slowly but steadily," Oxford said.
He said the moratorium will help the board put the restrooms in a convenient location once the money is raised for the project. The proposed moratorium only is for the park on Main Street and doesn't include other areas of Fairpark.
"We'll entertain any other ideas for Fairpark," Oxford said.
To reach Fairpark's planners, email info@FairparkDistrict.com.
carlie.kollath@journalinc.com